Ancient Civilizations of Greece and Rome - Essay Example

?Ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome Rome appears as the largest ancient empire on the map of the world. It is located on the side of the Mediterranean Sea. Roman civilization absorbed South Eastern and Western areas of Europe and ruled them. Problem of stability within states was a serious issue; western part separated into different portions during the 5th century and made independent kingdoms. Western part consists of Italy, Hispania, Britannia, Africa and Gaul. The left out countries till 286 BC were Greece, Egypt, Balkans, Asia Minor and Syria. At a later stage, Egypt and Syria were also separated from Roman Empire. People of Rome are also known as classical antiquity. Contribution made by early Romans were huge in number including technology, religion, art, empire architecture, language, government, law, literature and war as well. The history of Roman Empire is still a source of inspiration in many parts of world (Cunningham and Reich, 2005). Greek civilization originates from Greek history. It survived from 8th to 6th Century, after that from 146BC to the mastery period of Rome. This civilization had the mastery of ruling on states. The classic stage of Greek culture leaves a significant influence on Roman Empire in many aspects. Greek civilization holds a vision which interpreted to numerous parts of Mediterranean Region and Europe as well. The basis of western civilization is the major reason of rich culture in Classical Grecian people. The development of Classic Greek civilization was observed between 4th and 5th century (Cunningham and Reich, 2005). Roman and Greek civilizations belong to Mediterranean Region but still differ in social aspects. Civilizations hold different mythology and live their life in different manner. The outstanding difference is related to progress. Romans failed to make remarkable progress in their era. Greece had begun their development in 5th century BC. On many instances, it is supposed that many of the items utilized by Romans were previously a part of Greek Civilization and Greek invented those items (Freeman, 2004). Civilization believed to divide people in groups. The division of Greek society is categorized in five groups. These groups’ are women, slaves, medics, free men and in the end citizens. The position of women in Greeks civilization was even below that of a slave. In Romans the status of women is higher as compared to Greeks and give them equal rights of citizens, but still didn’t give them an opportunity to vote or work in offices belonging to political sector. The groups which were found in Roman society were Plebeians, Patricians, Free Men and Slaves (Moore, 2006). Both civilizations were inspired by architectural techniques. Their building was the sample piece of innovative architecture. In Greek civilization, the style of architecture divides into three major groups. These groups were Doric, Ionic and Corinthian. Romans were motivated as well as inspired by the architecture of Greek building. Romans adopted the architectural style of Greeks; they gave a style of Greek architecture to their building structures. Romans added aqueducts and arches in Greek designs and gave them a new look (Moore, 2006). The common occupation of Greek was considered as agriculture, this occupation employed almost three quarter of people. Greek cape was rocky and mountainous area, giving tough time to famers. They failed to produce enough wheat. Grapes and olives were found in abundant quantity. Roman farmers produced what they needed like furniture, tools and clothing. After some time they started producing more than their requirement and began exporting (Freeman, 2004). The major gods and goddesses of Greek were Poseidon , Aphrodite, Hera, Hades, Hestia, Apollo, Demeter, Artemis, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Dionysus and Ares. Mostly, different regions worshipped the same gods or goddess. The practice of Greek religion was expanding outside Greece as well to Asia Minor to Magna Graecia. ApolloIn Greek mythology, Demeter is the goddess of the harvest, who presided over grains, the fertility of the earth, and the seasons . Her common surnames are Sito as the giver of food or corn/grain and Thesmophoros as a mark of the civilized existence of agricultural society... Hera was the wife and one of three sisters of Zeus in the Olympian pantheon of classical Greek Mythology. Her chief function was as the goddess of women and marriage. In Roman mythology, Juno was the equivalent mythical character. The cow, and later, the peacock were sacred to her...Religion was related to state official rather than individual. Religion was divided among posts including Vestal Virgins, Flamens, Pontiffs, Augurs and Haruspexs. Pontiffs made criminal related laws and decided dates of festivals. They also made fake months to extend working times. Haruspexes were considered as priests and predicted future as well. Augur was sent by God and monitored religious activity. Flamens gave sacrifices (Hemingway and Hemingway, 2000). In the period of Peloponnesian Wars, new political power emerged in Macedonia. Macedonians were the form of Greek. They had different social and political system as compared to polis. They converted into great Empire, under the rule of King Philip II. After his death, the responsibility of expansion was handed over to his son, Alexander the Great. He was a student of Aristotle. He conquered an empire which was considered to be the largest one. He attacked with 30,000 soldiers on Asia Minor. Before his death, he almost covered Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persian Empire, few parts of India and Afghanistan. The empire divided after his death. Both Autonomous monarchies and New Hellenistic ruled with great effort (Hemingway and Hemingway, 2000). Roman Empire was dominant because of solid tactics in military. Polices made by Roman soldiers were the reason of its expansion. All soldiers are divided into legion. Legion was further divided into maniples that were more than 100 men (Moore, 2006). The classic civilizations of Rome and Greek originated from the region of Mediterranean Sea in 800 B.C.E till the Roman Empire fall, which took place in 476 C.E. The central point was peninsula of Greece, after that it shifted to provinces of Rome’s burgeoning. The culture of Mediterranean failed to impress the ancient Middle East. However, both Greeks and Romans made a westward push in civilization. Previously it was based in Middle East and the Nile as well. They represent the making of institutes with new values, systems and ways of living. Their cultural aspects are echoing in Middle East even in this time. It is not only Middle East but we can also include Europe in it. Most of the Americans, not only the offspring’s if European immigrants. The culture of classical Mediterranean has incredible influence on this world. It is part of their story. But the impacts of their rich culture, art, literature and way of living still exist in this world. It is just because of respect, perfection in some areas and development in infrastructure. References: Cunningham, Lawrence, S. and John J. Reich. “Culture and Values, Volume 1: A Survey of Humanities”. 6th Edition. Wadsworth Publishing. 2005. Print. Freeman, Charles. Egypt, Greece and Rome: Civilizations of the Ancient Mediterranean. 2nd Edition. USA, Oxford University Press. 2004. Print. Hemingway, Colette, and Sean Hemingway. "Ancient Greek Colonization and Trade and their Influence on Greek Art". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/angk/hd_angk.htm (Retrieved on October 20, 2011) Moore, Mary B. "Hoplites, Horses, and a Comic Chorus."Metropolitan Museum Journal, Vol. 41 (2006). Read More